MEDIA UPDATE – Shooting Investigation

MEDIA UPDATE – February 2, 2024

On early Friday morning, December 29, 2023, at 1:31 AM, first responders from the Pittsburg Police Department, Pittsburg Fire Department, and Crawford County EMS, responded to an apartment located at Sycamore Village Residences, 2601 N. Joplin St., in Pittsburg, for a report of an individual suffering from a gunshot wound.

A 28-year-old male victim was transported to Ascension Via Christi Hospital for a nonlife-threatening gunshot wound to his leg. The victim was treated at the hospital and would later be released.

Investigation into the incident identified the suspect of the shooting to be 30-year-old Wesley S. Burgess, of Pittsburg. At the time of the shooting, Mr. Burgess was on parole with the Kansas Department of Corrections stemming from an Aggravated Robbery conviction. Investigators enlisted the assistance of the Kansas Department of Corrections’ Enforcement, Apprehension, and Investigation Division with locating and apprehending Mr. Burgess.

On Wednesday afternoon, January 24, 2024, at approximately 1:35 PM, the Pittsburg Police Department received a report of an armed robbery that had just occurred at a residence on 4th Street Circle, in Pittsburg. The 19-year-old male victim reported that a person who was known to him, and a second unknown male suspect, came into his residence and held him at gunpoint. The victim reported the two men stole items from him and then fled the residence on foot. Responding officers were unable to locate the suspects at that time. During the investing into this incident, one of the suspects was identified as Mr. Burgess.

On Friday, January 26, 2024, Mr. Burgess was located at a residence in Chanute, Kansas, and was taken into custody without incident. Mr. Burgess was transported to the Crawford County Jail where he was booked in for both of the above incidents. For the December 29, 2023, incident, the following charges are being requested from the County Attorney’s office: aggravated battery, unlawful discharge of a firearm in city limits, and aggravated weapons violation by a felon. For the January 24, 2024, incident, the following charges are being requested from the County Attorney’s Office: theft, aggravated assault, aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, and kidnapping.

The second suspect involved in the robbery incident, which occurred on January 24, 2024, remains unidentified at this time.

The investigation into these incidents are ongoing at this time. Anyone having information related to these incidents, or other crimes, is urged to contact the Pittsburg Police Department at (620) 231-1700, or at our automated tip line, (620) 231-TIPS (8477). Callers may remain anonymous.

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December 29, 2023

Released by Lt. A. Nance

On Friday, December 29, 2023 at approximately 1:31 AM, first responders from the Pittsburg Police Department, Pittsburg Fire Department and Crawford County EMS responded to an apartment located at Sycamore Village Residences, 2601 N. Joplin, for a report of individual suffering from a gunshot wound.

The 28-year-old male was transported to Via Christi Hospital for a non-life-threatening injury to his leg.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing at this time. Anyone having information related to this incident, or other crimes, is urged to contact the Pittsburg Police Department at (620) 231-1700, or at our automated tip line, (620) 231-TIPS (8477). Callers may remain anonymous.

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